Miocic On Pereira's Heavyweight Future After UFC Freedom Loss

Former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic believes Alex Pereira will capture a third divisional belt despite a rough start in the big-man ranks.

Pereira dropped his heavyweight debut via TKO to Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250, leading many to assume he would retreat to light heavyweight. Instead, the former two-division champion accepted a December co-main slot against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335. Few expect him to dominate the dangerous Russian, but Miocic counts himself among the believers.

Miocic Backs Pereira To Rebound At UFC 335

In a conversation with Athlon Sports, Miocic said Pereira has already done more than enough to earn the benefit of the doubt. "I think he can win a third belt," he told the outlet, per Bloody Elbow. "I won a belt at 38. I think he'll be fine. He's tough. That was his first time fighting in the big boy class, and I think he's shown he's ready to do it. He knows what to expect."

Miocic, who retired following a TKO loss to Jon Jones at UFC 309, added that Pereira is already operating at championship level. The Brazilian captured belts at middleweight and light heavyweight before moving up, most recently stopping Khalil Rountree Jr. and Magomed Ankalaev in back-to-back defences before the Gane setback.

UFC 335 takes place in December. Miocic is expected to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2027, with a potential announcement at UFC Cleveland.

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• BJPenn — Stipe Miocic expects Alex Pereira to ‘make history’ despite disastrous heavyweight start